die  Trägerschaft

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈtʁɛːɡɐʃaft/

🏢 What does 'die Trägerschaft' mean?

Die Trägerschaft refers to the legal entity, natural person, or group responsible for the operation, funding, and overall direction of an institution or project. They essentially 'carry' (tragen) the responsibility.

Typical examples include:

• The Trägerschaft of a kindergarten (e.g., city, church, association)
• The Trägerschaft of a hospital
• The Trägerschaft of a social project

It's an important term in public law, social services, and the education sector.

🚨 Attention: The word is always feminine: die Trägerschaft.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar in Detail: Die Trägerschaft

The noun 'Trägerschaft' is feminine. The plural ('die Trägerschaften') is used when referring to multiple sponsoring bodies, but it's less common than the singular.

Example Sentences

1. Die Stadt übernimmt die Trägerschaft für die neue Kita.
   (The city takes over the sponsorship/operation of the new daycare center.)
2. Die Trägerschaft des Projekts liegt bei einem gemeinnützigen Verein.
   (The sponsorship/responsibility for the project lies with a non-profit association.)
3. Es gab Diskussionen über die zukünftige Trägerschaft des Museums.
   (There were discussions about the future governing body/sponsorship of the museum.)
4. Verschiedene Trägerschaften betreiben Pflegeheime in der Region.
   (Various sponsoring bodies operate nursing homes in the region.)

📝 How to use 'die Trägerschaft'?

The term 'Trägerschaft' is mainly used in formal and administrative contexts, especially concerning public institutions.

• Social services: Kindergartens (Kita), schools (Schulen), hospitals (Krankenhäuser), nursing homes (Pflegeheime), counseling centers (Beratungsstellen).
• Culture: Museums (Museen), theaters (Theater).
• Projects: Funding projects (Förderprojekte), social initiatives (soziale Initiativen).

Difference to 'Träger':

'Der Träger' (the carrier/sponsor) often refers to the specific organization or person itself (e.g., "Der Träger des Kindergartens ist die Caritas" - The sponsor of the kindergarten is Caritas). 'Die Trägerschaft' emphasizes the function, role, or legal status of responsibility (e.g., "Die Trägerschaft ist noch ungeklärt" - The sponsorship/responsibility is still unclear). However, they are very similar and often used interchangeably.

You might hear about 'freie Trägerschaft' (independent or non-governmental sponsors like associations, churches) as opposed to 'öffentliche Trägerschaft' (public sponsors like the state or municipality).

🧠 Memory Aids for Trägerschaft

Article Mnemonic: The suffix "-schaft" in German nouns is almost always feminine (die). Think of other '-schaft' words like Freundschaft (friendship), Mannschaft (team), Wissenschaft (science)... and also die Trägerschaft. She ('die') carries the responsibility.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine an organisation proudly carrying (trägt) a big sign labeled "Responsibility" for a project or institution. This entire function or status is the Trägerschaft.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Die Bürgschaft: A financial guarantee or surety, unrelated to Trägerschaft.
• Die Schwangerschaft: Pregnancy, a biological state, not organizational responsibility.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat die Stiftung ihre Trägerschaft verloren?
(Why did the foundation lose its sponsorship status?)
Sie konnte die Verantwortung einfach nicht mehr tragen!
(It simply couldn't 'carry' the responsibility anymore!)

✍️ Poem about Trägerschaft

Ein Haus für Kinder, hell und fein,
(A house for children, bright and fine,)
wer sorgt dafür, lässt es gedeihn?
(Who cares for it, lets it thrive and shine?)
Wer hält die Fäden, plant und schafft?
(Who holds the strings, plans and crafts?)
Das ist die gute Trägerschaft.
(That is the good sponsorship/body.)

Sie stellt das Personal bereit,
(It provides the personnel,)
kümmert sich um Geld und Zeit.
(Takes care of money and time as well.)
Ob Stadt, Verein, mit Herz und Kraft,
(Be it city, club, with heart and might,)
sie übt sie aus, die Trägerschaft.
(It exercises it, the sponsorship right.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin kein Mensch, doch hab' die Macht,
(I am not human, yet have the might,)
hab' eine Kita über Nacht
(Have a daycare overnight)
finanziert, gebaut, ins Leben bracht.
(Financed, built, brought into light.)
Ich bin die Kraft, die alles schafft.
(I am the force that manages the draft.)
Wer oder was bin ich, mit voller Haft(-ung)?
(Who or what am I, with full liability/craft?)

Solution: Die Trägerschaft (The sponsoring body/sponsorship)

ℹ️ Further Information

Word Formation

The word 'Trägerschaft' is a noun composed of:

• The verb stem of 'tragen' (to carry, bear, support, sponsor).
• The suffix '-schaft', often used to denote collectives, states, or qualities (e.g., Freundschaft - friendship, Gemeinschaft - community, Bereitschaft - readiness). It makes the noun feminine.

It's an abstract noun describing a function or status.